Splat wrote:This is hilarious. Melo worshippers evacuate their bowels over a literate itemization of the bed Melo made for himself.

Even if you don't agree with every point Triple made, to not even be capable of seeing that Melo's self-centeredness is evident in his career moves goes beyond blind loyalty. It is the epitome of emotionally-driven logicians screaming back "Emotionally-driven logic". You guys are the bitter ones who can't see what a sad state this franchise is in and why we got the star we deserve.

Sure, the organization made dumb moves, but the core of everything it has done the past five years revolves around one player. If you think that player's personal motivations and ethics has nothing to do with the gutless teams we keep producing, then keep dreaming that Melo has no impact on this roster's attitude and production.

If you think the core player's temperament and attitude doesn't define a team and filter in the consciousness, demeanor and play of every teammate, then keep praying at your Melo altar.

Nah, Melo's not greedy. Nah, it has nothing to do with anything. Nah, saying he'd cooperate and then leaving only 4% of max on the table as a leftover for management to hunt for talent with is not greedy, its soooo generous!!! That's $5M from 5 years worth, not $5M per year to work with. Yeah, he so cares about building a team.

Yeah, Melo cares about winning. Keep stroking your god boys.

Always a villian that we need to scapegoat and blame for all our problems. We have gone thru the same problems for yrs before Melo ever became a Knick.

Melo has every right to look out for his best interest. Its up to management to evaluate if what's in Melo's best interest is in line with Knicks best interest. If they aren't then u don't make the deal. Greg Manroe and Gasol may want a max contract this off season. If we give it to them are u gonna blame Monroe and Gasol or are u gonna blame Jackson if it don't work out?

Do u blame Amare for not taking less when we had major cap space to help build a winner? Was it a wise decision to sign him to that contract? Is it up to Melo to save us from our mistakes? How about the 2 lottery picks we traded to dump Jeffries so we could sign Amere and Felton. Is Melo to blMelo for that as well. Or trading Randolph and Crawford for nothing to get the cap space for Lebron. Only to overpay for Amare. Which we would all rather have Ranpolh at the moment.

There is a lot more evidence of this org making poor decisions with or without Melo then there is of Melo forcing them to make stupid decisions. And even if it was try about Melo. The fact that we would be weak enough to allow that type of person to run rampart in the org says more about the org then Melo.

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:This is hilarious. Melo worshippers evacuate their bowels over a literate itemization of the bed Melo made for himself.

Even if you don't agree with every point Triple made, to not even be capable of seeing that Melo's self-centeredness is evident in his career moves goes beyond blind loyalty. It is the epitome of emotionally-driven logicians screaming back "Emotionally-driven logic". You guys are the bitter ones who can't see what a sad state this franchise is in and why we got the star we deserve.

Sure, the organization made dumb moves, but the core of everything it has done the past five years revolves around one player. If you think that player's personal motivations and ethics has nothing to do with the gutless teams we keep producing, then keep dreaming that Melo has no impact on this roster's attitude and production.

If you think the core player's temperament and attitude doesn't define a team and filter in the consciousness, demeanor and play of every teammate, then keep praying at your Melo altar.

Nah, Melo's not greedy. Nah, it has nothing to do with anything. Nah, saying he'd cooperate and then leaving only 4% of max on the table as a leftover for management to hunt for talent with is not greedy, its soooo generous!!! That's $5M from 5 years worth, not $5M per year to work with. Yeah, he so cares about building a team.

Yeah, Melo cares about winning. Keep stroking your god boys.

Always a villian that we need to scapegoat and blame for all our problems. We have gone thru the same problems for yrs before Melo ever became a Knick.

Melo has every right to look out for his best interest. Its up to management to evaluate if what's in Melo's best interest is in line with Knicks best interest. If they aren't then u don't make the deal. Greg Manroe and Gasol may want a max contract this off season. If we give it to them are u gonna blame Monroe and Gasol or are u gonna blame Jackson if it don't work out?

Do u blame Amare for not taking less when we had major cap space to help build a winner? Was it a wise decision to sign him to that contract? Is it up to Melo to save us from our mistakes? How about the 2 lottery picks we traded to dump Jeffries so we could sign Amere and Felton. Is Melo to blMelo for that as well. Or trading Randolph and Crawford for nothing to get the cap space for Lebron. Only to overpay for Amare. Which we would all rather have Ranpolh at the moment.

There is a lot more evidence of this org making poor decisions with or without Melo then there is of Melo forcing them to make stupid decisions. And even if it was try about Melo. The fact that we would be weak enough to allow that type of person to run rampart in the org says more about the org then Melo.

Melo traded himself.
Melo forced Walsh to resign him.
Melo forced Phil to resign him.
Melo forced Lin away.
Melo ruined Obama's presidency.

But if you try to infuse ANY logic into the hate posts you become the Melo loving apologist. Folks cant cope with reality so they make up their own. This is pretty common in life. Even more so here.

This is your hero? You guys are saps if you worship this whore.

Read it below. If that is what you call leadership, then I have nothing to discuss with you.

This is the most pathetic "from the horse's mouth" swill I've ever heard.

And to think this club is built around this man. What a complete joke

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/59907/melo-i-want-a-bulletproof-legacy

Melo: I want a 'bulletproof legacy'

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony doesn't want his legacy to be defined solely by wins and losses -- he wants to be known as more than a basketball player when it's all said and done.

"What I really want is a bulletproof legacy," Anthony told ESPN The Magazine. "How can I be known for being a visionary, for being truly great?"

The Magazine has a fascinating look at Anthony's business pursuits, his long-term goals and the legacy he'd like to leave.

He told the Magazine he doesn't like being defined by the success or failure of his team.

"People say every year is the one that will determine if I'm great or terrible, if I've met expectations or been a disappointment," Anthony says in the story. "To be honest with you, I'm tired of it."

gunsnewing wrote:perfect timing

Seriously. Indefensible. He's a bitch. He just made all of his disciples look like chumps.

SwishAndDish13 wrote:

Splat wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:perfect timing

Seriously. Indefensible. He's a bitch. He just made all of his disciples look like chumps.

Honestly, this is getting pathetic. We don't have good enough personel. Give it up already. He feels the same as every other player in the league right now. Even LeBron gave up the fake "paycut" act this year. They're losing and their roster is light years better than the Knicks. It is pathetic that the blog is purely comprised of Melo hate. Previously in this thread people mentiomed the contract well the cap is gonna go up after the next lockout. Nobody is taking a paycut anymore. The Palyers Association told the players to cut the crap and so they did. Absolutely ridiculous that the focus is always on one guy. Makes no sense at all.

Uh, guess you didn't get the memo. We were responding to TODAY's news where Melo laid himself out on the vain moron smorgasbord for all to see. Ergo, he's a bitch. What is pathetic is Melo.

And if you need it spelled out for you, the man always reveals his innermost desires. He's an idiot who mumbles about what he wants in the future. It is never about taking care of business NOW. He wants to feel courted. He wants to the first digital athlete. He wants to be great (for something other than basketball), he wants to emphasize what he is going to accomplish in the future, not his current responsibilities.

And ZING! he exposes his real inner workings for all to see: he doesn't think he is defined by how well his team does. He wants to be judged independently as his own entity. That's what counts with Melo. That's who he is. He just summarized his philosophy.

WAKE UP! He's a hustler.

fishmike wrote:

Splat wrote:Here is what defines Melo. He is a puke. Read and enjoy. This from TODAY.

This is your hero? You guys are saps if you worship this whore.

Read it below. If that is what you call leadership, then I have nothing to discuss with you.

This is the most pathetic "from the horse's mouth" swill I've ever heard.

And to think this club is built around this man. What a complete joke

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/59907/melo-i-want-a-bulletproof-legacy

Melo: I want a 'bulletproof legacy'

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony doesn't want his legacy to be defined solely by wins and losses -- he wants to be known as more than a basketball player when it's all said and done.

"What I really want is a bulletproof legacy," Anthony told ESPN The Magazine. "How can I be known for being a visionary, for being truly great?"

The Magazine has a fascinating look at Anthony's business pursuits, his long-term goals and the legacy he'd like to leave.

He told the Magazine he doesn't like being defined by the success or failure of his team.

"People say every year is the one that will determine if I'm great or terrible, if I've met expectations or been a disappointment," Anthony says in the story. "To be honest with you, I'm tired of it."

hey capt. Puke... show me one post anywhere on this forum where guys call Melo his hero. Oh right... lets make stuff up again. Puppet time.

It makes me warm and fuzzy you guys hate him so much. Its fitting. The "fans" on this board and Melo are a perfect fit. You, guns, DK... should all hold a candle light vigil together. Thumbs up

You are the ultimate chit slinger so seeing you try to belittle anyone for their invective is a laugh riot.

You don't give a crap about the Knicks. Its clear. What you really enjoy is telling people they are menstruating or puppet masters or whatever lame insult you pull out of your toy holster.

Splat wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:This is hilarious. Melo worshippers evacuate their bowels over a literate itemization of the bed Melo made for himself.

Even if you don't agree with every point Triple made, to not even be capable of seeing that Melo's self-centeredness is evident in his career moves goes beyond blind loyalty. It is the epitome of emotionally-driven logicians screaming back "Emotionally-driven logic". You guys are the bitter ones who can't see what a sad state this franchise is in and why we got the star we deserve.

Sure, the organization made dumb moves, but the core of everything it has done the past five years revolves around one player. If you think that player's personal motivations and ethics has nothing to do with the gutless teams we keep producing, then keep dreaming that Melo has no impact on this roster's attitude and production.

If you think the core player's temperament and attitude doesn't define a team and filter in the consciousness, demeanor and play of every teammate, then keep praying at your Melo altar.

Nah, Melo's not greedy. Nah, it has nothing to do with anything. Nah, saying he'd cooperate and then leaving only 4% of max on the table as a leftover for management to hunt for talent with is not greedy, its soooo generous!!! That's $5M from 5 years worth, not $5M per year to work with. Yeah, he so cares about building a team.

Yeah, Melo cares about winning. Keep stroking your god boys.

Always a villian that we need to scapegoat and blame for all our problems. We have gone thru the same problems for yrs before Melo ever became a Knick.

Melo has every right to look out for his best interest. Its up to management to evaluate if what's in Melo's best interest is in line with Knicks best interest. If they aren't then u don't make the deal. Greg Manroe and Gasol may want a max contract this off season. If we give it to them are u gonna blame Monroe and Gasol or are u gonna blame Jackson if it don't work out?

Do u blame Amare for not taking less when we had major cap space to help build a winner? Was it a wise decision to sign him to that contract? Is it up to Melo to save us from our mistakes? How about the 2 lottery picks we traded to dump Jeffries so we could sign Amere and Felton. Is Melo to blMelo for that as well. Or trading Randolph and Crawford for nothing to get the cap space for Lebron. Only to overpay for Amare. Which we would all rather have Ranpolh at the moment.

There is a lot more evidence of this org making poor decisions with or without Melo then there is of Melo forcing them to make stupid decisions. And even if it was try about Melo. The fact that we would be weak enough to allow that type of person to run rampart in the org says more about the org then Melo.

Per bold above, you support the organization that facilitates the player who is out for himself first and foremost and thus you get the player you deserve. Melo and Dolan are mirrors of one another in their business tango and you think you can absolve Melo of his greed by saying it is his right and thus all fault lies at the feet of Dolan. You believe that and here you are with the franchise you deserve if you are so prepared to defend the actions of Melo and Dolan as if they are polar opposites.

This is the psychological root of what you are defending, this separation of implied responsibilities. I can't make you not believe that, but it is why you believe Melo is faultless. I understand your point of view, but I clearly don't agree with it.

You can excuse the organization for being stupid enough to give Melo this latest idiotic contract, but we're still stuck with a player who has evidenced no ability to elevate the psyche, spirit and performance of his teammates. We lack talent, and the Melo building scheme is fully related to that.

However you want to argue culpability for roster management, at the end of the day Melo's me-first approach defines this ballclub to the core now. He is the culture. Support him all you like. He is what the fans deserve.

I can't get outraged any longer. Seems defenders of Melo have a vast reserve of it still. I don't care. It is simply how I see it. I accept others don't think Melo has anything to do with the club's fortunes outside of his obligation to show up on time and shoot the ball. Cool man. That kind of thinking is on another planet as far as I'm concerned, so Melo fans can consider me an alien.

Triple laid it out very cleanly. No need to reiterate. Melo has a hand in every decision this club has made. It is in the very DNA of this organization now considering Melo forced his hand and let Ujiri squeeze dummy Dolan for everything he could get. Go ahead and blame Dolan. He fugging deserves it. But to pretend Melo is not culpable for that asset depletion and it is not integral to his legacy is just being a denier of historical fact.

Who frigging cares how Gallo or Moz are doing now? That has never been the point. That is the lame argument some seem to invoke to validate "winning" the trade. We didn't win nothing. We got Melo and had an empty coffer with which to build or create more trades and assets. We started the Melo era with bare cupboards and that is all on him and Dolan as co-conspirators. If someone says that is not on Melo, then all I hear is someone saying La La La La I can't handle the truth.

You're right, the org has made bad decisions with or without Melo, but Melo's fingerprints are on the club from day one and to pretend he is not consulted on moves or that he never states his preference is mind-boggling, yet some live in a fairy world thinking Melo doesn't get his hands dirty.

You're right, it says everything about the org and that is not on Melo, but Melo is not separate from the situation just because the org has been dysfunctional. And Phil caved and gave Melo a disgusting contract, so it remains par for the course. Phil is in bed with Dolan is what it amounts to and he played a hand right from Dolan's playbook sucking up to Melo so pitifully as he did. So much for a new era.

Phil can still do some good, but he shot himself in the foot big time already. We're off to a poor start of the new era by setting the precedent of betting all-in again on an aging one-trick pony star. We suck now yes, but it is more than being a rebuild year. We suck at the core, despite having enough bodies to play .500 ball, because these players don't really love another another to play like a team. And that has so much to do with your stars being Melo and JR Smith. Melo is not a winner. Never will be.

Splat my guy,

Everyone knows that Melo could have signed as a free agent in the offseason but wanted his contract locked in before the lockout and new collective bargaining agreement. He has every right to look to do so. Just like the Knicks had every right and opportunity to tell Melo and Denver to kick rocks. Melo (or any player for that matter) are not obligated to have waited for the offseason rather then get there contract locked in before the lockout for the Knicks or any team for that matter. And the Knicks were not obligated to have traded for Melo gutting the team.

Knicks front office are obligated though to have evaluated what they are giving up to what they are getting. As well as there ability to improve down the road if they made the deal. This is there job and what they specifically get paid to do. Its the FO's job to have set a price telling Denver take it or leave it as they aren't willing to gut the team. Which would leave Nets as the only option left dropping Denver and Melo's leverage drastically. Its Knicks FO's job to have made calls around the league looking at other players they could possibly make a trade for giving up less assets. Giving the Knicks more leverage at the negotiation table to get the deal that they want. Just like it was Knicks FO's job to have evaluated that they are going to have to give Amare 100mil over 5yrs yet the doctors are saying that he has 80yr old man knees and they couldn't even get insurance on the deal. Someone should have thought maybe its a bad investment to spend 100mil if we can't even get insurance on the contract because the risk is so high.

After the trade and the lockout. It was the Knicks FO's job to evaluate that we have Billups expiring contract at 14mil, and an amnesty in the back pocket to use on Amare if need be. Which would free up 34mil in cap space. As well as our first round pick which turned out to be Shumpert, Fields, & Douglas. So while we gave up a bunch of assets there was plenty of opportunity to use the massive cap space and the little assets we had to build a foundation which 3yrs later could be a quality team right now. So TT's point about with STATs huge deal, that the Knicks would have little cap room and almost no assets anywhere else on the roster to build around them Is false because again we had an amnesty clause and Billups expiring contract. This isn't Carmelo's job nor is he required or qualified to make these decisions.

If Melo demanded that they won right away and made short sighted moves right away. Its the Knicks FO's job to have established before they traded for Melo that they are looking to build a team that could contend for the next 10 yrs and may need about 3 yrs to build it. If Melo doesn't agree then we don't make the trade. If they failed to establish those principals which should have been evaluated and forecast then the FO failed.

Triple Threat: He wanted Pringles gone (god forbid any coach or system that tries to take what the defense gives you),so he got the boot.
He did want Pringles and didn't fully buy into the system which he deserves blame for. Though we should have never amnestied Billups for Tyson in the first place killing our PG position when MDA requires a PG. And when we got a PG, Lin was struggling really badly at this point in time and Pringles refused to put he ball in Melo's hands while Lin continued to get trapped and turn the ball over. Which lead to MDA quitting and the Knicks making a 16-5 run to make the playoffs.

Triple Threat: He wanted no more Lin ( god forbid a young player gets MVP chants for leading the team to wins), so Lin's gone
I would like to see the actual proof that backs this statement. When the Houston offer was first presented it was widely reported that the Knicks were going to match the offer. Which forced Houston to up the offer to poison pill status. When we traded for Kidd he was on the radio talking about how he couldn't wait to mentor an up and coming PG like Lin. It was also reported that Woodson, Lin, Melo & Chandler all had dinner together prior to Lin's free agency as well. But this comment is perfect example of ignoring specific info like Lin getting a poison pill contract or sitting out of the playoffs to protect his market value or struggling badly after Linsanity.

Triple Threat: Can't get along with Chandler.
Would like to see actual proof that backs this statement as well. Another example of ignoring information on how Tyson has been often injured, poor in the playoffs for every yr he has been here. Destroyed by Hibbert and had one of the worst yrs of his career last yr. Openly bad mouthing the head coach and considered a problem in the locker room. Which Phil Jackson himself has backed by his own comments which Tyson responded to. Which was also reported that Phil spoke to Melo about the deal which Melo said he was cool with. If Melo wanted Tyson gone then that would have already been established with him and Phil. There would be no need for Phil to see if Melo was cool with the deal. Has Tyson even said anything about problems with Melo?

Triple Threat: Wanted the rest of his CAA cronies here?
Would like to see actual proof that backs this statement as well. You mean Jr Smith? Who turned down 8mil per from the Bucks to resign with the Knicks since he thought we were on the verge of contending. Which Dolan made an under the table deal to add his brother to the roster since Jr was taking less money. Which Jr basically confirmed by tweeting betrayal when his brother was cut. Or Bargs who I have yet to hear Melo speak about.

This is the BS that you want to eat up? Its one thing to say Melo has say in decisions. But you guys are taking that and running with it as if Melo is the one pulling the strings and making the decisions and forcing moves. Yet don't back any of it up with actual facts and there is plenty of other facts that support why moves are being made which have nothing to do with Melo. I guess that's the difference between being a Melo apologist and not.

Just read your post. You explored in detail some of the musings others have had about Melo hypotheticals vis-a-vis his hand in org decisions. While I have said it is simply unbelievable to think he is out of the loop on key actions, including the kind that you covered, I myself have not delved much into the specific cases you cited. The ones you cite are probably going to remain constrained by subjective analysis re: Melo's attitude and influence on decisions involving D'Antoni, Lin or Chandler. That is my way of saying you can make a case as you have about the unknowables and you can't really be refuted. And I really was not focused on those cases anyway, but just acknowledging the slippery context those cases provide and how no one can be certain.

That said, my biases being what they are, I obviously take real offense to certain behaviors on the team because I'm a lunatic fan, just not cut from the cloth of some who support the club or its star unilaterally. I take offense because it has mattered to me in the past whether or not the central figure on the roster is a leader. And if they are not a leader then the next question becomes: Are they a detriment to the psyche of the team? I think Melo most certainly is on the level of personal influence and mindset.

I believe every time Melo shows how self-absorbed he is to the public, we are only getting the tip of the iceberg. If he is this much of a douche publicly, then I have little doubt he is a handful behind closed doors. To keep this shorter, in summary, my objections to the article I posted are as follows:

He distances himself from winning and losing
He does not want to be judged on whether or not his teams are successful
He wants to be judged on what he does in the future AFTER basketball
He is clearly obsessed with wealth
He is more interested in the leverage his wealth gives him than he is on setting a good example in his current career
He clearly doesn't have a clue how all of this can demoralize his teammates

In sum, he is self-absorbed, but too stupid to realize the effect of his words on his teammates. If I were his teammate and I saw these quotes, I would be appalled. Some people have standards (or no standards at all) and think it doesn't matter. I'm butting heads with those people.

This is strange stuff ultimately, because I don't care about any other thing in the social sphere in the same way. It is only the Knicks that channels my corrosive, snarling critiques and that alas is sports, a rabid obsession where different forms of idealism exist. But, make no mistake about it, there are all kinds of idealists here, not just my take on it, but also those who say they don't care about who the player is, just what they do on the court. That is their ideal, but its not mine, because I deeply believe the team result is based on its core players' mindsets. And Melo's mindset is pure trash IMO.

I find Melo to be a very offensive guy. His demeanor is laid back, but his words and actions are not. People are fooled by demeanor constantly, but I am not. And his teammates surely are not.

TripleThreat wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote: So TT's point about with STATs huge deal, that the Knicks would have little cap room and almost no assets anywhere else on the roster to build around them Is false because again we had an amnesty clause and Billups expiring contract. This isn't Carmelo's job nor is he required or qualified to make these decisions.

I'm not sure there is anywhere on this site that I blame Melo for each and every last problem the Knicks have ever had. I cited the STAT situation because as a precursor to Melo getting on the roster, the team had already heavily gutted itself in the fruitless "clear as much cap for LeBron and Friends" drive as possible.

If you think ONE SINGLE AMNESTY CLAUSE and one expiring contract would have turned around the fortunes of the Knicks after the massive gutting in the chase for LeBron James and getting STAT instead and trading for Melo, then I don't know what to say.

At the end of the day, I expect what I feel is the baseline expectations that fans should have of a player on their favorite NBA basketball team.

- Come into the season in elite physical condition. You are a professional athlete. Your jobs demands that you are in elite physical condition.

- Play hard and give 150 percent in all aspects of the game. I remember reading Greg Maddux, even after he had gotten enough numbers to be a HOF lock, would, later in his career, work on things like his fielding, his pickoff move and his batting, just to try to excel at every nuance of the game that he could. No excuse for lazy and uncommitted defense.

- Be a leader, on and off the court. Be an example, on and off the court.

If Melo gave it all he had, each and every night, then I'd have no problem with him exploring any thing outside the game that he wanted. What clearly is going to rub many fans the wrong way is someone talking about wanting to be more than a basketball player when it's evident that said basketball player has not made the commitment and effort to be the very best that he can be at his FIRST JOB.

I have a friend. His son, good kid, but honestly, the kid married a girl who is a worthless ****. Just a really lousy high maintenance gold digging nagging wench. I love the kid to death, but unlike a lot of kids I know who marry nice girls, good girls, he married a bad egg. Sorry but the Knicks, out of all the players they could have gotten or tried to get, just got stuck with a bad egg. But they made their bed with that bad egg.

Melo isn't to blame for every single last problem the Knicks have right now. But I'm not sure anyone here has ever said that. I will say he has a lot to do with a lot of the problems that the team currently has. Some of you seem to want to take the angle that since he can't be blamed for all of it, that he shouldn't be accountable for any of it. Which is insane.

A player committed to winning above all else, would have looked at the Knicks objectively after failing to get LBJ and taking STAT as a poor consolation prize, and made certain sacrifices to win.

That's the issue, I don't think anyone can argue, what sacrifices has Melo made for the greater good of the Knicks?

If you can't get along with Chandler, but you find a way to get along and make it work as the team franchise player. Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent hated each other, but they found a way to coexist. Mike Ditka and Buddy Ryan despised each other, but they found a way to give for the greater good of a championship team. But no, Melo can't make that sacrifice, so Chandler has to go.

Melo can't leave money on the table, so assets have to go.

Melo goes nuts seeing a system ( Pringles) highlighting another player who takes over NY ( Lin), those mother ****ers have to go.

The argument I am hearing is a player should look for his best interests. I'm not arguing a player has to consider what's best for him. However when has Melo ever made any sacrifice for the good of the Knicks period? It's one thing to not demand a player give up everything, but is it far fetched to ask a franchise player to give up nothing, absolutely nothing at all?

What if some of those early 90's Yankees teams didn't win a World Series? I'm not talking about when expectations were set, I'm talking about grinding it out with guys like Joe Girardi, Charlie Hayes, a gritty Gerald Williams, a clutch Jimmy Leyritz, raw and still young Jeter and Rivera. If that team lost, you know what, they gave it every last thing they had.

When Melo gives it every last thing he has as a basketball player, then I think you'll see lots of Knicks fans back off of him. But if you refuse to act like a leader, refuse to come in shape, refuse to work things out with your team mates, refuse to play and commit to defense, refuse to take any of the responsibility that comes with being a franchise player and being paid like pone, then you deserve to have fans criticize you when you start mouthing off in the press, saying stupid things, talking about anything other than winning basketball games.

But it still comes down to the math.

Melo wanted more help on the roster. Then the mother ****er should have left some money on the table and got a long with some of his former team mates better. Too bad for him. It's the price that every NBA star has to consider.

BTW, I do not get the Cosby reference. How is that even applicable? I called Melo a douche, but not something along the lines of being a serial rapist.

knicks1248 wrote:My point is, you will not find too many players that will sacrifice Money for championship rings. The more money you make, the more you put on your plate.

If you sacrifice money for the sake of a company that will make billions with or with out you,then your pathetic idiot, and deserve to be playing for free. Why would you take 2% of a company thats making billions of of you.

Mike Bibby, at the end of his career, used as trade fodder several times, basically flushed a 6 million dollar contract for the next season to go play for the 2011 Heat, in hopes of winning a ring. He played the next season for our Knicks, at the league's veteran's minimum.

Karl Malone took a 1.5 million dollar one year deal in 2003, to win a ring. Doing this knowing a labor war was brewing and locking into one last solid contract would have been in his best financial interests.

Same year, same team, Gary Payton passed up other more lucrative offers to sign a 2 year, 10 million deal with the Lakers.

Dirk's three year, 25 million contract with Dallas left, based on other offers, close to 70 million on the table.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all left money on the table. Lots of money to stay together and with the Spurs.

Dwight Howard, instead of trying to force a sign and trade or to take the max possible from the Lakers, took a big pay cut to move to Houston, leaving their team and assets intact.

Stephen Curry is one of the best value contracts in all of the NBA. He could have taken more money, he didn't. His ankle issues were a concern. But he signed for less than the possible max.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce both signed shorter than market value deals at the end of their careers.

Mike Miller left money on the table to play with the Heat and his friends, LBJ and Wade.

LBJ and Wade and Bosh all left money on the table to sign Miller and Haslem.

People can argue how the way NBA players is not fair all day long. The reality is that NBA players union LOST and LOST BADLY in the last labor war. End of story there. They have to live in that reality. IF you want help, fair or not, you have to go to a gutted young team with rookie contracts or you have to leave money on the table. That's it.

I brought up Chris Paul because he's a good example. He had a young rookie contract guy backing him up with upside. Clippers couldn't afford to keep Eric Bledsoe, in part because Paul makes the max. Bledsoe gone. Darren Collison isn't a great starter, but is a very good backup PG, but he got more money to start elsewhere, part of that happened because Paul makes the max. If Paul has to burn more minutes and eat more pressure and knows his backup isn't as good as what he had before, too bad on him. Could have left money on the table. But he didn't. Deal with the consequences.

People keep harping on "fair" or "not fair" as if that is the reality that these players exist in right now. Fair or not, if you want help, you have to leave money on the table.

IF the players wanted better, they should have organized better and won the last labor war. They didn't. Now they all have to eat it. Including Melo.